The Editor’s Desk

Taking Charge Of 2022

By Dean Blinkhorn

Well, 2022 is here and I hope you had a good holiday break with friends, family, and those closest to you. A New Year always promises a fresh start and a blank slate, which can be either inspiring or a little overwhelming, depending upon your point of view.

So, for me, I plan on making things a little more realistic for the next twelve months. Taking a cue from our columnist, Melody Murphy, and her wonderful suggestions in the pages to come, I’ve filled my calendar with a slew of appointments that will serve as tent poles from one busy week to the next. However, instead of zeroing in on weird and obscure holidays—sorry, Melody!—I plan on doubling down on all the things that are sure to bring me a smile or two.

Lunches—I’m fortunate to have a job with a flexible schedule and often my lunches are nothing more than ones with clients or quick trips to the house for a sandwich, a bowl of soup, and a quick scan at the headlines or social media. Instead, I’m going to try to be more intentional here and block out some time with the people I really want to see. I have at least a dozen dining options within walking distance of my office downtown, why not see them all over the course of a year? And if the budget tightens up, there are at least three parks within a five-minute drive. At least I’ll be outdoors!

Live Music—Most of you regulars know I’m a big music fan, so this one isn’t exactly a stretch, although COVID-19 altered this scene dramatically in the past couple of years. Still, 2021 finished with a bang in this department with great shows at the Reilly Arts Center, the Ocala Civic Theatre, and even an outdoor metalfest in Daytona to see Metallica. 2022 is already filling up fast, with upcoming shows by Los Lobos, Chris Botti, and a return to Rockville to see Foo Fighters already scheduled. The goal is at least one per month.

Phone Calls—Both of my parents live out of state and don’t travel much these days, so until I can carve out a block of time and hop on a plane, I certainly can pick up the phone more often. I love the sound of their voices, which take me right back to childhood, even if all we’re talking about is the latest round of doctors appointments or car repairs. I’ve learned over the years that it’s less about what we say and more that we’re just sharing the line. Sometimes it’s almost like they’re sitting in front of me.

Vacations—These days, weeklong trips for fun can be hard to manage, but we do live in a state with lots of options just a few hours away. I think it’s time to rediscover the small-town charms of Apalachicola in the Panhandle, Flagler Beach on the Atlantic, and Downtown Dunedin on the Gulf of Mexico for long weekends. Who knows? It might even be time to be a full-blown tourist again and hit the Magic Kingdom or Daytona Beach for a day or two of nostalgic fun.

The goal will be to stay busy—on my terms. So while I may not embrace Hug Day like Melody suggests—Get it, “embrace?”—I do plan to follow her advice. I’ll probably even take her to lunch once or twice like we usually do to catch up on assignments, mutual friends, etc. How does Ivy on the Square sound, Mel?

Now I just hope that you do the same.

All the best, Dean

Everyone who knows me well is aware that I love music of all kinds, so... What’s Dean Playing?

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, “Raise The Roof”—This delayed sequel, 14 years in the making, was well worth the wait. The pair’s distinctive voices sound great together, particularly on Lucinda Williams’ “Can’t Let Go” and The Everly Brothers’ “The Price Of Love.”

Los Lobos, “Wolf Tracks: The Best Of Los Lobos”—Get ready for the Latin-fused group’s February 12th show at the Reilly with this wonderful compilation. It has a pair of cuts from “La Bamba” and a slew of key album tracks from their long career.

Aerosmith, “Greatest Hits”—They’ve had other compilations, but I love the quality and brevity of this first one that focuses on the Columbia years, especially “Walk This Way” and “Back In The Saddle.” Just in time for a February 26th tribute show at Circle Square Cultural Center.